Before you can start using your new prepaid electricity meter to measure your energy usage, you will need to activate it first. Meter activation involves a series of processes, but we have simplified it for you in this article.
To activate your new prepaid meter, you will need to have your meter number, activation code, and meter’s CIU handy. The activation process involves turning on your prepaid meter, inputting the activation code through the meter’s keypad, and loading a prepaid electricity token into the meter, among other steps.
However, if you don’t know how to activate a new prepaid electricity meter, then this guide is for you because we are going to show you the simplified methods that you can follow to activate your meter.
- Read also: How to retrieve prepaid meter token
Requirements for Prepaid Electricity Meter Activation
To successfully activate your prepaid meter, there are things you need to have handy for smooth activation. They are:
1. Meter Number
This is a unique number for your specific meter; it is usually an 11-digit number. Your electricity provider will give you the meter number. It is very essential for the meter activation
2. Activation Code
Another important requirement for prepaid electricity meter activation is the activation code.
After meter installation, you will receive an activation code from your electricity provider. However, you can also see your activation code on your welcome pack, receipt, or even an email once your meter is installed.
3. Prepaid Electricity Token
The last thing you need to have to get your prepaid electricity meter activated is the electricity token. So, you should recharge your meter through different outlets, like a mobile app, an online service, or a physical outlet. Once you receive the token, you should keep it with you because you will need to input it into your new meter to be able to activate.
How to Activate a New Prepaid Electricity Meter
To activate your prepaid meter, you will need to follow the steps below:
1. Gather all the Necessary Requirements
The first thing you should do when you want to activate your new prepaid meter is to gather the things like your meter number, activation code, etc. The meter number is important because it confers a unique identity to you, while the activation code serves as a sort of ‘password’ for the first setup. You can get them from your electricity providers if you’ve not gotten them
2. Turn on the Meter
Once you’ve got the necessary documents, the next thing is to switch on your prepaid meter. Although in most cases, the installer or technician would turn on the meter after installation, if you are handling it yourself, make sure the circuit breaker linked to the meter is on. If your meter is on, it’s display screen will show numbers or symbols indicating that it’s on and ready for use.
3. Input the Activation Code
Now that the meter is ready for use, you should input the activation code. You can input the code into your meter through the meter’s customer interface unit (CIU) or the keypad. Ensure that you connect the CIU to a power source and enter the activation code correctly. Once you are done entering the activation code, your meter will display a message confirming that it’s accepted the code. You should look for a confirmation such as “Accepted,” “Ready,” or “Active.” on your meter’s display unit.
However, if you receive an error message, you should reenter the code again. And if it continues to show failure after a couple of retries, you should contact customer support of your provider to avoid a temporary lock on your meter.
4. Register Your Meter
Although not universal, some electricity providers require you to register your meter with them after activation. You can do this by contacting your electricity provider via phone call or by visiting their online portal to do it yourself since most of them allow users to register their meter online. Once you register your prepaid meter with your provider, you will be able to monitor your energy usage, access your credit balance, and top up your credit units when needed with ease.
5. Purchase Prepaid Electricity Units
Once your meter is activated, you’ll need to buy prepaid electricity units to start using power. You can prepaid electricity tokens from different means, like by visiting recharge outlets, using your mobile app, or using an online vending platform. Once you buy the tokens, you can load them into your meter through the meter’s CIU.
6. Confirm Meter Activation
Once your meter accepts the prepaid token, it will start working by deducting the credit unit, and, guess what? Your meter is now ready for use.
How to Activate a New Prepaid Electricity Meter Online
To activate your prepaid electricity online, you should do this:
- Login to your electricity provider’s portal
- Input your meter number
- Tap on the submit button
- You will see an activation code on your meter screen if it requires one, but if your meter doesn’t need an activation code, it will display an error message.
- If you receive an activation code, you can enter it in your meter through the keypad to get it activated.
Conclusion
Activating a new prepaid electricity meter is not difficult since it involves a straightforward process. You can do that by gathering your meter number, activation code, and prepaid token and following the activation procedure outlined in this guide. Once you get it correctly, your new meter will be ready for use.